Snow Racin'
by Cheyenne
~ Mag 7 Little Britches au~
"Come on. Come on... you stupid sonofa..."
"Ahhhemmmm."
Buck quickly looked around at Chris, then toward the two wide-eyed young boys who stood just inside the doorway of the ranch's utility room watching him.
Snow had begun falling the night before and had continued through the morning. With the heavy snowfall, plans for a Daytona 500 party had quickly gone out along with the electricity an hour ago, and no amount of coaxing from Buck could restore the power.
Buck had built up the boy's excitement about the 'Great American Race' by having each of them pick a favorite driver to root for in the race. He had encourage the anticipation by purchasing driver t-shirts and caps for each.
JD had chosen Elliott Sadler because he drove the M&M candy car. Vin had chosen Jeff Gordon because he thought the flames on the 24 car were cool. Buck was a die-hard Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan and, even though he was gone, Chris held fast to his choice of the "Man in Black", Dale Earnhardt Sr.
"Sorry guys. Looks like we'll have to wait for a replay of the race on Speed Channel."
Two young faces fell in disappointment at Buck's words.
Chris caught Buck's eye and motioned for him to take the boys back to the warmth of the den where the fireplace was still burning.
As Buck settled the boys, Chris reappeared with a portable radio and the new Monopoly game he had secretly purchased.
"What'cha got, Chris?" Vin asked from his nest of blankets beside JD in front of the coffee table.
Without a word, Chris switched on the battery-operated radio and tuned in a local station that carried 'MRN' radio.
"...pace car is off and Dale Earnhardt Jr will lead the field to the green flag...."
Three grins became even wider as Chris laid open the game board to reveal the "NASCAR" edition of Monopoly.
End
*If you stuck around to the end and are not familiar with NASCAR, you deserve a clarification. :)
-The Great American Race is the Daytona 500 - Nascar's Super Bowl
-Elliott Sadler drives the #38 M&M's car for Robert Yates Racing
-Jeff Gordon (Cheyenne's favorite) drives the #24 Dupont car for Hendrick Motorsports
-Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the #8 car for Dale Earnhardt Inc.
-Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed in turn 4 on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 but his legacy lives on in 'Jr.'
-MRN is "Motor Racing Network". They broadcast the Daytona 500 each year and split the rest of the race radio broadcast throughout the season with 'PRN'.
-Drivers often switch sponsors on their cars as well as car numbers. (this was originally written around 2003. As of 2009, the M & M car is currently driven by Kyle Bush for Joe Gibbs Racing and Jr is now in the 88 car for Hendrick Motorsports. The Black #3 car will forever be associated with Dale Sr and Jeff Gordon still drives #24)
-And finally... :) Yes. There are 'NASCAR' & 'Dale Earnhardt' editions of Monopoly. Great fun.